1459 Flight was perhaps the most successful unit of its kind: after becoming operational in March 1942 they made their first target illumination was on 28 April 1942, but that night the satellite aircraft were not in position.[4] Two days later Flt/Lt. C.V. Winn illuminated a He 111 which fell victim to S/Ldr. Yapp of 253 sqn.[4][5] Three more contacts were made in May 1942, but all proved friendly.[4] In July by now S/Ldr. C.V. Winn scored a probable Do 217 and P/O J.A. Gunn another Do 217 damaged.[4] A further aircraft was claimed as damaged in August,[4] giving a total of one destroyed, one probable and two damaged.
The flight was replaced with 538 Squadron on 2 September 1942[3][6] but officially disbanded as late as 25 January 1943.[3] 538 Sqn, which had taken over men and machines, carried on flying the Turbinlite Bostons and Havocs till the system was abandoned on 25 January 1943,[7] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[8]
Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from[2][3][4]
Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1994. ISBN1-85310-451-5.
Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN1-85310-053-6.
Lake, Alan. Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1999. ISBN1-84037-086-6.
Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN0-354-01028-X.
Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN0-85130-365-X.